Day two of the AIMS Games is underway following a record breaking first day of competition on Sunday, when some running races were held.
A new race record and Tauranga Intermediate winning the 12k relay for the sixth time were amongst the highlights of the cross-country event on the opening day of the 2010 NZCT AIMS Games.

Day two of the AIMS Games involved the start of most of the sports events, including squash, hockey and netball at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui. Pictured here is Te Puke College's Kelly McPherson trying to block a shot by Katikati College's, Miracle Tapsell.

For the first time the cross-country event took place on day one.
"The change to the opening day brought the rewards of a big crowd at Waipuna Park in Welcome Bay," says NZCT AIMS Games tournament director Vicky Semple.
"Fine weather on Fathers' Day, and the country-country event being the only sport staged on the first day, ensured that we had a large and enthusiastic crowd of supporters at the event."
Te Puke Intermediate runner Jessica Bitcheno not only added the Year 8 girl's title to her Year 7 crown, which she won last year, but she also set a new race record. Her time of 11 minutes 10 seconds beat the previous mark by three seconds, set by Holly Sprosen (Ilminster) in 2006.
The Te Puke Intermediate runner had a real battle with Kara MacDermid from Monrad Intermediate in Palmerston North, winning by just five seconds. The Monrad runner led for much of the race before being passed in Walnut Grove by Jessica. Meg Skilton from Stanley Avenue Primary finished in third place.
In the 12km mixed relay, Tauranga Intermediate won the long distance race for the sixth time in seven years. Ilminster Intermediate made the early running, before Tauranga established a comfortable lead by the half way stage of the gruelling event.
At the finish Tauranga had a 34 second advantage from fellow Western Bay school Otumoetai Intermediate, with Ilminster holding on for the bronze medal.
The Year 7 boy's title was taken out by Justin Mitchell from Tauranga Intermediate, who beat teammate Alex Revington by nearly 10 seconds, with Mitch Regan (St Joseph's Whakatane) finishing third. The first time runner in the NZCT AIMS Games says "It was cool to take out the title. I was feeling nervous before the race but when I hit the lead I just wanted to win."
The Year 8 boy's title was won in impressive style by Leo Roper from Bucklands Beach Intermediate. The Auckland youngster had a 20 second advantage from Andrew Robinson (Tauranga Intermediate) with Dean Stafford from St Joseph's Wairoa grabbing third place.
The first race of the day, which was the Year 7 girl's event, was won by Tauranga's Keely Grantham from Paige Satchall from Rotorua's John Paul College with Kaitlin Petherick from Pukekohe Intermediate in third place.

NZCT AIMS Games Day One Results
Year 7 Girls: 1st Keely Grantham 11m.37sec (Tauranga Int) 2nd Paige Satchall 11.47 (John Paul College) 3rd Kaitlin Petherick 12.11 (Pukekohe Int)
Year 7 Boys: 1st Justin Mitchell 11.02 (Tauranga Int) 2nd Alex Revington 11.11 (Tauranga Int) 3rd Mitch Regan 11.17 (St Josephs Whakatane)
Year 8 Girls: 1st Jessica Bitcheno 11.10 - new race record (Te Puke Int) 2nd Kara MacDermid 11.15 (Monrad Int PN) 3rd Meg Skilton 11.39 (Stanley Ave Primary)
Year 8 Boys: 1st Leo Roper 10.21 (Bucklands Beach Int) 2nd Andrew Robinson 10.41 (Tauranga Int) 3rd Dean Stafford 10.46 (St Josephs Wairoa)

Teams
Year 7 Girls: 1st Tauranga Int 2nd Cobham Int 3rd Matamata Int
Year 7 Boys: 1st Tauranga Int 2nd Otumoetai Int 3rd Ilminster In
Year 8 Girls: 1st Otumoetai Int 2nd Monrad Int 3rd Aquinas College
Year 8 Boys: 1st Tauranga Int 2nd Otumoetai Int 3rd Havelock North Int

12k Championship Relay
1st Tauranga Int 43.51 2nd Otumoetai Int 44.25 3rd Ilminster Int 45.13